Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About My Ancestor's Roots in Markham, and Kingston, Ontario, Canada

I have two more ancestors who were from Ontario Canada, my second great-grandpa Badgerow and my second great grandpa Cooper - after them, I have a LOT of ancestors from Quebec! It is possible my ancestor, David Francis Badgerow was related to George Washington Badgerow - both were born in Markham Township, Ontario, and George was a well-known lawyer and a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of York East from 1879 to 1886. He later served as the Crown Attorney for Toronto and York County. I do not know if they were related, but since Badgerow is a unique name, they may have been cousins. At any rate, this is what I learned about Markham and Kingston, Ontario, Canada from the time my ancestors lived there until now . . .

Markham and Kingston, Ontario, represent two completely distinct paths of development over the last two centuries. While Kingston began the 1820s as a vital, heavily fortified military and commercial capital before stabilizing into an institutional hub, Markham spent over a century as a quiet collection of farming villages before exploding into a massive, modern tech metropolis.

Here is a parallel look at how both cities transformed from the 1820s to today:

The 1820s to 1840s: Strategic Stronghold vs. Rural Pioneers

• Kingston: By the 1820s, Kingston was already one of Upper Canada's most critical strategic settlements. Following the War of 1812, the British military invested heavily in its defense, culminating in the construction of Fort Henry and the Rideau Canal (completed in 1832 by thousands of Irish laborers). Its growing political and economic status peaked when it was named the first capital of the United Province of Canada from 1841 to 1844. The city's iconic neoclassical Kingston City Hall was built during this brief golden era. 
• Markham: In stark contrast, Markham in the 1820s was a heavily forested agricultural frontier. Originally settled primarily by Pennsylvania German Mennonites—who established the village of Reesorville (renamed Markham Village in 1825)—it began seeing a heavy influx of British Isles immigrants during this era. The local economy was purely agrarian, relying on the Rouge and Don rivers to power sawmills, grist mills, and wool factories. 

You will find my full post at this link.